Title IX

Liberty University Athletics is committed to conducting an athletics department that maintains compliance with Title IX. Since 2009, we have added three women’s sports programs: Women’s Lacrosse (2009-2010), Women’s Swimming (2010-2011) and Women’s Field Hockey (2011-2012). These additions have allowed for 61 new female participation opportunities and by 2013-2014, the growth in the programs will have allowed for a total of 80 new female participation opportunities.

To assist us in maintaining Title IX compliance, the Athletics Department will continue to take the following steps:

• Publicize our procedure for club teams or individuals to request varsity status for their sport of interest. An announcement will be made, annually, on the Splash page and the procedures and Sport Request form will be readily available on the athletics webpage.

• Conduct an interests and abilities survey, every 2 years, with the female student population.

• Annually assess the female state championship sports from the top 10 states that make up our general student population.

Any student who desires that a new intercollegiate sport be added to the intercollegiate athletics program at Liberty University may make such a request by petitioning the Department of Athletics using the Sport Request Form. The use of this form will assist in generating the information needed for the University to make a decision regarding the requested addition to the athletics program.

The person desiring the addition of a new intercollegiate sport should identify themselves on the form as the “contact person” so that authorities within the Department of Athletics will know who to contact for follow-up on the request. The contact person should, to the extent possible, identify persons who are interested in that additional intercollegiate sport and who are also willing to participate. It is important that this student information be as accurate and complete as possible because this will be very helpful in enabling the University to assess the request. Additional forms are available in the office of the Director of Athletics upon request. It is important to list the Division I Colleges and Universities within our area that sponsor the requested sport, if known by the requesting person. Such Colleges and Universities should be within our competitive region (between 0-400 miles from Lynchburg, VA).

After completing the Sport Request form, the contact person should return the form to the office of the Director of Athletics. The request will then be evaluated by the Director of Athletics and other senior administrators in the Department of Athletics. These persons shall conduct a hearing at which all interested persons may appear and present their point of view with respect to the desirability of adding the intercollegiate sport. The University officials participating in the hearing shall consider such factors as availability of competition, number of students interested in participating in the sport, as well as the skill level they possess, availability of practice and game facilities, and costs to the University in making a determination on the request. Officials of the Department of Athletics may also confer with other administrative officials of the University for additional information pertinent to the request.

After a determination is made, all interested persons whose names and addresses are presented on the Request for Sport Form will be notified of the determination by the Department of Athletics. In the event that the request is granted and a recommendation is made for the addition of the sport, the office of the Director of Athletics will assume responsibility for keeping the interested parties informed as to the progress being made in funding and establishing the new intercollegiate sport.